Without a doubt, the Manhattan Project was the reason for the creation of the town of Los Alamos many years ago. An upcoming public meeting this week will focus on this period of time for Los Alamos, and how the community could best be represented in a national park now under consideration.

The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a special resource study to determine the national significance, suitability, and feasibility of designating one or more historic sites of the Manhattan Project for potential inclusion in the national park system. This park could include non-contiguous sites in Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, TN, and Hanford, Wash. The county council appointed an ad hoc committee in August to take the lead on the project on behalf of Los Alamos. The committee is comprised of representatives involved in historic preservation and tourism from throughout the community.

The committee has brainstormed ideas, and would like to hear from the public. They will host a public meeting from 5:30-6:30 p.m.Tuesday in the Pajarito Room of Fuller Lodge to gather input in answer to the question: “What form should the park take to best represent Los Alamos?” Residents are encouraged to come give the committee their feedback at the meeting. Anyone unable to attend Tuesday’s meeting can e-mail their comments by November 13th to Heather McClenahan at heather@losalamoshistory.org.

Based upon feedback from the community and other potential project partners, the committee will present a plan to NPS representatives when they visit Los Alamos for additional community meetings later this fall or winter.